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Retailers feel the credit crunch

There were signs that the credit crunch has hit the high street as figures showed yesterday that retail sales fell in October for the first time in nine months, reports the Telegraph.

The high street has so far escaped almost unscathed from the turmoil that has caused people's loans, mortgages and credit cards to cost more. But figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that shops were starting to feel the pain for the first time, with sales volumes falling 0.1 per cent, despite a fourth successive month of discounting from retailers.

Analysts had been predicting a modest rise as shoppers - encouraged by the cold snap - start to look for winter coats, boots and early Christmas presents.

Telegraph

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